The fairness of any promotion can be challenged as unfair in terms of s186(2) of the LRA. The policies of employers relating to promotion do not always provide for a deadlock situation. In this matter the employer also considered the scores of the two observers. This did not breach the policy and was regarded as being transparent, fair and objective. The Labour Appeal Court rejected the argument that the scores should have been averaged arithmetically. The appeal was allowed and the Labour Court’s judgment set aside and the award upheld on the basis of not being unreasonable.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM) v Mkumatela (PA/10/2011) [2016] ZALAC 6 (19 February 2016) per CJ Musi JA [Waglay JP and Savage AJA concurring]
Textbook: Du Toit Labour Relations Law: A Comprehensive Guide 6th ed (LexisNexis 2015) at p 547
See also:
- Mkumatela v Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality [2008] JOL 21686 (HC) per Revelas J.
- Mkumatela v Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality [2010] 2 BLLR 115 (SCA) per Brand JA.
Reported
[2016] 5 BLLR 585 (LAC)
Headnote:
Unfair labour practices – Promotion – Panel departing from employer’s selection policy when deadlocked on best candidate – Departure from policy not constituting unfair labour practice in circumstances.